Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Philippines, China Trade Blame After South China Sea Collision
A Philippine government boat was delivering fuel to fishermen in disputed waters.
The Philippines said a Chinese Coast Guard ship made dangerous moves and hit its boat on purpose.
Video showed Philippine crew members preparing for the impact.
Pictures showed damaged railings and other parts of the boat.
Nobody was hurt.
China gave a different account of what happened.
China said the Philippine boat ignored warnings and crossed in front of its ship.
Each country said the other side was responsible for the collision.
The incident happened near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
The Philippines said a China Coast Guard vessel rammed the government boat BRP Datu Magat Salamat during a resupply mission.
The Philippine vessel was distributing fuel to Filipino fishermen about 54 nautical miles off Palawan.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported damage to railings, deck structures and metal supports, but no injuries.
China said the Philippine vessel ignored warnings, changed course and accelerated across the bow of its vessel.
Both sides claimed the other violated international law and caused the collision near Sabina Shoal.
- Who
- The Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat, and the China Coast Guard vessel Sanzhou'ao.
- What
- The vessels collided during a Philippine resupply mission, with each country blaming the other.
- When
- Friday at 11:13 a.m. local time, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
- Where
- Near Sabina Shoal, about 54 nautical miles off Palawan in the South China Sea.
- Why
- The Philippines said the Chinese vessel carried out dangerous manoeuvres and rammed its boat; China said the Philippine vessel ignored warnings and crossed its bow.
Philippine Account
Chinese Account
Cause of collision
Philippine Account
The Philippine Coast Guard said the Chinese vessel carried out a series of dangerous manoeuvres and deliberately rammed the civilian government boat.
Chinese Account
China said the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings, changed course and accelerated across the bow of the Chinese vessel, causing the collision.
Legality of the operation
Philippine Account
The Philippines described the mission as a humanitarian and livelihood effort to provide fuel to fishermen.
Chinese Account
China said its Coast Guard was conducting lawful rights-protection and law-enforcement operations.
Responsibility
Philippine Account
The Philippines held China responsible for the impact and said the Chinese vessel targeted a civilian government boat.
Chinese Account
China said the Philippine vessel's actions violated international law and that responsibility lay entirely with the Philippine side.
- Philippine vessel
- BRP Datu Magat Salamat, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel.
- Chinese vessel
- China Coast Guard vessel Sanzhou'ao.
- Mission
- Distributing fuel to Filipino fishermen.
- Location
- Near Sabina Shoal, approximately 54 nautical miles off Palawan.
- Reported damage
- Bent and detached railings, damaged metal supports and debris on the Philippine boat's deck.
- Injuries
- No injuries were reported.
- Time
- The Philippine Coast Guard said the collision occurred at 11:13 a.m. local time.